Mirror: Debate to go on, with or without Lamont

WFSB and Connecticut Public Broadcasting are going ahead with plans for a Democratic gubernatorial debate on Aug. 3 - with or without Ned Lamont.

All three Republican candidates have accepted an invitation to debate Aug. 4 at WFSB's studios in Rocky Hill, but Dan Malloy is the only Democrat willing to appear on the 3rd.

"We're apparently going to do it without or without Lamont," Dennis House, the WFSB anchorman, said Tuesday night.

"I really, really hope he takes part," said John Dankosky, the news director of WNPR, the radio affiliate of Connecticut Public Broadcasting.

WFSB has informed Lamont they will keep two lecterns on their set until 12:55 p.m. on the day of the debate, House said. After that, they will reconfigure the studio for a solo appearance by Malloy. House and Dankosky will pose questions.

The decision by WFSB and Connecticut Public Broadcasting keeps alive an awkward episode for Lamont, who had a 9-percentage point lead last week in a Quinnipiac University poll of likely Democratic primary voters.

Dankosky said that WNPR and WFSB are committed to offer voters an opportunity to hear from the candidates, and it is inappropriate to let one candidate force a cancellation.

"I think it's important for both us and 'FSB to offer this," Dankosky said.

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